§ Brigadier-General WIGANasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the block in promotion now existing in the senior ranks of the Regular Army, he can arrange for the retirement of those commanding officers who have commanded their regiments for four or more years as either acting, temporary, or substantive lieutenant-colonels, and who are therefore now eligible for the maximum rates of pension?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA Lieutenant-Colonel, although eligible for the full rank element of his pension, is not eligible for the maximum rate of pension until he has completed 29 years' service. A Lieutenant-Colonel can at any time apply to retire, if he so desires; but to compel him to retire, unless he is unfit for retention in 1545W the Service, would deprive him of all prospect of promotion to Colonel and employment in that rank. This would be unfair to the individual and disadvantageous to the Service.